Insulation Test Cryostat with Life Mechanism

ABSTRACT

A multi-purpose, cylindrical thermal insulation test apparatus is used for testing insulation materials and systems of materials using a liquid boil-off calorimeter system for absolute measurement of the effective thermal conductivity (k-value) and heat flux of a specimen material at a fixed environmental condition (cold-side temperature, warm-side temperature, vacuum pressure level, and residual gas composition). The apparatus includes an inner vessel for receiving a liquid with a normal boiling point below ambient temperature, such as liquid nitrogen, enclosed within a vacuum chamber. A cold mass assembly, including the upper and lower guard chambers and a middle test vessel, is suspended from a lid of the vacuum canister. Each of the three chambers is filled and vented through a single feedthrough. All fluid and instrumentation feedthroughs are mounted and suspended from a top domed lid to allow easy removal of the cold mass. A lift mechanism allows manipulation of the cold mass assembly and insulation test article.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/186,475 entitled “INSULATIONTEST CRYOSTAT INCLUDING LIFT MECHANISM,” filed Jun. 12, 2009, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

ORIGIN OF INVENTION

The invention described herein was made by employees of the UnitedStates Government and may be manufactured and used by or for theGovernment of the United States of America for governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalties thereon or therefore.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

The present disclosure relates generally to testing of material todetermine thermal conductivity of a material or system of materials.

2. Background

In today's world of increasing demands for energy and energy efficiency,the use of cryogenics and refrigeration is taking on a more and moresignificant role. From the food industry, transportation, energy, andmedical applications to the Space Shuttle, cryogenic liquids and otherrefrigerants must be stored, handled, and transferred from one point toanother without losing their unique properties. To protect storagetanks, transfer lines, and other process system equipment from heatenergy, high-performance materials are needed to provide effectivethermal insulation to a degree that can be reasonably obtained. Completeand accurate thermal characterization of the insulation material, i.e.,performance attributes of the material such as thermal conductivity andheat flux, is a key aspect in designing efficient and effectivelow-maintenance cryogenic and low-temperature systems.

One valuable technique for testing the thermal performance of materials,such as insulation material, is evaporation or boil-off testing.Boil-off testing is accomplished by filling a vessel with a fluid whichevaporates or boils below ambient temperature. In the general sense,boiling is associated with higher heat transfer rates and evaporationwith lower heat transfer rates. Although the exemplary fluid is thecryogen liquid nitrogen, other fluids such as liquid helium, liquidmethane, liquid hydrogen, or known refrigerants may be used. A vessel issurrounded with the testing material, placed in a suitable environmentalchamber, and then filled with the test fluid such as a cryogenic liquid.A calorimetry method is then used to determine the thermal conductivityof the test material by first determining the rate of heat passingthrough the test material to the vessel containing the refrigerantliquid. The heat leakage rate passing through the test material to theliquid in the vessel is directly proportional to the liquid boil-offrate from the vessel. For a test material under a set vacuum pressure,the effective thermal conductivity (k-value) and/or heat flux isdetermined by measuring the flow rate of boil-off at prescribed warm andcold boundary temperatures across the thickness of the sample.

Although other cryogenic boil-off techniques and devices have beenprepared to determine the thermal conductivity of insulation material,the previous techniques and devices are undesirable for a variety ofreasons. First, few such cryogenic devices are in operation because oftheir impracticality from an engineering point of view. The previousboil-off devices made it extremely difficult to obtain accurate, stablemeasurements and required extremely long set up times. Prior testingdevices also needed highly skilled personnel that could oversee theoperation of the testing device for extended periods of time, over 24hours to many days in some cases. Additionally, constant attention wasrequired to operate previous testing devices to make the necessary fineadjustments required of the testing apparatus. Second, prior testingdevices contained the limitation that they did not permit the testing ofcontinuously rolled products which are commonly used insulationmaterials. The testing of high-performance materials such as multilayerinsulation requires extreme care in fabrication and installation.Inconsistency in wrapping techniques is a dominant source of error andposes a basic problem in the comparison of such materials. Impropertreatment of the ends or seams can render a measurement several timesworse than predicted. Localized compression effects, sensorinstallation, and outgassing are further complications. Third,measurements of various testing parameters were not carefully determinedor controlled in previous testing devices. Measurement of temperatureprofiles for insulation material was either not done or was minimalbecause of the practical difficulties associated with the placement,feed-through, and calibration of the temperature sensors. Vacuum levelswere restricted to one or two set points or not actively controlledaltogether. Fourth, previous cryogenic testing devices required complexthermal guards having cryogenic fluid-filled chambers to reduce unwantedheat leaks (end effects) to a tolerable level. The previous techniquefor providing thermal guards, filling guard chambers with the cryogen,caused much complexity both in construction and operation of theapparatus. Known techniques add the further complication of heattransfer between the test chamber and the guard chambers due to thethermal stratification and destratification processes of the liquidwithin the chambers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed invention. This summaryis not an extensive overview and is intended to neither identify key orcritical elements nor delineate the scope of such aspects. Its purposeis to present some concepts of the described features in a simplifiedform as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presentedlater.

In accordance with one or more embodiments and corresponding disclosurethereof, various aspects are described in connection with boil-offcalorimetric measuring of an absolute thermal conductivity.

In one embodiment, an apparatus adaptable for use with a boil-off flowmeasuring device is provided for determining thermal performance of atesting material. A cold mass comprises an inner vessel having a top, abottom, a sidewall defining a testing chamber, the sidewall forreceiving a testing material, an upper guard chamber positioned at thetop of the inner vessel, and a lower guard chamber positioned at thebottom of the inner vessel. An outer vacuum chamber encloses the innervessel and the testing material. A plurality of liquid conduits receivesa cryogenic fluid having a normal boiling point below ambienttemperature and for venting cryogenic gas. Each of the plurality ofliquid conduits communicates through the outer vacuum chamber to arespective one of the testing chamber, the upper guard chamber, and thelower guard chamber.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for testing thermalconductivity or heat flux. A cylindrical test specimen is positionedaround a cylindrical cold mass comprised of a stacked upper vessel, topthermal guard, test vessel, a bottom thermal guard, and a lower vessel,which in turn is within a vacuum chamber. Each of the stacked uppervessel, test vessel, and lower vessel of the cylindrical cold mass arefilled and vented with a cryogenic liquid via a respective top fedfeedthrough. A cold vacuum pressure is maintained within the vacuumchamber. A cold boundary temperature of an inner portion of the testspecimen and a warm boundary temperature of an outer portion of the testspecimen is measured while the cryogenic fluid maintains a settemperature of the cold mass. An effective thermal conductivity iscalculated for the test specimen based upon the cryogenic fluid boil-offor evaporation flow rate cold boundary temperature, warm boundarytemperature, effective heat transfer surface area of the cold mass, andthickness of the specimen.

In additional embodiment, an apparatus is provided for measuring thermalconductivity or heat flux. A vacuum canister has a lid attachable andsealable to a lower cylindrical portion. A cold mass comprises avertical cylindrical stack of an upper vessel, a test vessel, and alower vessel. Three feedthrough conduits pass through the lid of thevacuum canister respectively to fill and to vent respectively one of theupper vessel, test vessel, and lower vessel. A vertical machine jackscrew positions a carriage engagable to the lid of the vacuum canisterfor positioning the cold mass suspended from the lid into the lowercylindrical portion. A vacuum system produces and measures either a warmvacuum pressure or a cold vacuum pressure within the vacuum canister. Aboil-off calorimeter measuring system determines boil-off flow ratecoincident with a stable thermal environment of a test specimenpositioned around the cold mass.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, one or moreembodiments comprise the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims. The following description andthe annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrativeembodiments and are indicative of but a few of the various ways in whichthe principles of the embodiments may be employed. Other advantages andnovel features will become effective from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawings and thedisclosed embodiments, which are intended to include all such aspectsand their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, nature, and advantages of the present invention asdescribed in this specification will become more effective from thedetailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which like reference characters identify correspondinglythroughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a cryogenic testing apparatussupported by a lifting mechanism with a schematic view of a boil-offcalorimeter system for absolute measurement of effective thermalconductivity (k-value).

FIG. 2 illustrates a cutaway view of the cryogenic testing apparatus ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cutaway view of a cold mass assembly of thecryogenic testing apparatus of FIG. 2 with detail views.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side and front view of the lifting mechanism ofFIG. 1 with an isometric view of a carriage.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a methodology or sequence ofoperations for preparing a test specimen.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram for a methodology or sequence ofoperations for cryogenic boil-off, absolute thermal conductivitytesting.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram for a cryogenic test procedure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a screen depiction of a methodology utilizing aspreadsheet for calculating mean heat transfer rate and k-value forconcentric cylindrical geometry.

FIG. 9 illustrates a graphical plot for test results for k-value as afunction of Cold Vacuum Pressure (CVP).

FIG. 10 illustrates a graphical plot for layer temperature distributionof multilayer insulation test article as a function of distance.

FIG. 11 illustrates a graphical plot for test results for k-value forten specimens as a function of CVP.

FIG. 12 illustrates a graphical chart for a wide range of empirical dataobtained by the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a graphical chart for empirical data for powderinsulation.

FIG. 14 illustrates a graphical chart for empirical data for foaminsulation.

FIG. 15 illustrates a graphical chart for empirical data for MultipleLayer Insulation (MLI) and blanket insulation.

FIG. 16 illustrates a graphical chart for empirical data demonstratingperformance for MLI Baseline heat flux.

FIG. 17 illustrates a graphical chart for empirical data for MLI.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A multi-purpose, cylindrical thermal insulation test apparatus is usedfor testing insulation materials and systems of materials using a fluidboil-off calorimeter system for absolute measurement of the effectivethermal conductivity (k-value) and heat flux of a specimen material at afixed environmental condition (or vacuum pressure level). The apparatusincludes an inner vessel for receiving a fluid with a normal boilingpoint below ambient temperature, such as liquid nitrogen, enclosedwithin a vacuum chamber. A cold mass assembly, including the upper andlower guard chambers and a middle test vessel, is suspended from a lidof the vacuum canister. Each of the three chambers is filled and ventedthrough a single low conductivity feedthrough. All fluid andinstrumentation feedthroughs are mounted in the top domed lid to alloweasy removal of the cold mass. A lift mechanism is attached to the toplid of the vacuum can to allow removal of the cold mass assembly andconvenient manipulation of the assembly for the installation, wrapping,or placement of insulation test materials around the outer cylindricalsurface of the cold mass. The k-value of the insulation material iscalculated based upon the cryogen boil-off (or evaporation) flow ratecold boundary temperature, warm boundary temperature, effective heattransfer surface area of the cold mass, and thickness of the specimen.Similarly, the mean heat flux for the test specimen is based upon thecryogen boil-off (or evaporation) flow rate, effective heat transfersurface area of the cold mass, and thickness of the specimen.

The evaluation of cryogenic thermal insulation materials and systems isa technology focus area of the Cryogenics Test Laboratory at NASAKennedy Space Center. To that end, new test procedures and devices havebeen established to test insulation materials under the combination offull temperature difference and full-range vacuum conditions. TheCryostat-1 apparatus performs absolute/cylindrical testing, while theCryostat-2 apparatus achieves comparative/cylindrical testing and theCryostat-4 apparatus performs comparative/flat disk testing. Thedifferent methods are considered to be naturally complementary. No onetype of test will provide all the heat transfer information needed. Noone type of test will be readily suited for all different types andforms of materials and combinations of materials. As will be explainedin greater detail, the present invention (hereinafter “device” or“Cryostat-100”) combines and improves the best attributes of existingapparatuses to create a unique device capable of providing practical,scientific data for real-world insulation systems that can readily beapplied to a myriad of design engineering problems or operationalissues.

The present invention comprises an apparatus that requires significantlyless ancillary equipment to operate properly (e.g., not connected tostorage tank, phase separator, sub-cooler, etc.). The device is toploading for convenience of use and, more importantly, exhibits muchimproved thermal stability due to internal vapor plates, a single-tubesystem of filling and venting, bellows feedthroughs, stainless steelwire or polymer fiber, such as aromatic polyamide fiber (known asKEVLAR), thread suspensions, and thick-wall stainless steelconstruction. The device can readily do the full range ofcryogenic-vacuum condition testing over several orders of magnitude ofheat flux. Guide rings, handling tools, and other design improvementsmake insulation specimen change out and test measurement verificationhighly reliable and efficient to operate.

In particular, a very wide heat flux (or k-value) capability ofapproximately four orders of magnitude is enabled by many design factorsto include the following:

The dimensions (length to diameter and relationship of all 3 chambers)of the cold mass are such that stratification of the cryogen sets-up inthe right amount of time;

These dimensions are also such that the heat transfer rates, boil-offflow rates, and resulting changes in liquid levels are approximately thesame in a given test;

The vapor generation and resulting convection current from the boilingor evaporation of the cryogen is routed straight away from the liquidsurface in each chamber; and

The top and bottom edges of the cold mass are thermally guarded by acombination system of multilayer insulation (such as 60 layers aluminumfoil and micro-fiberglass paper), vacuum-quality micro-fiberglassblanket, aerogel blanket, and aerogel bulk-fill materials as required.

Thus, unlike a conventionally known approach, the Cryostat-100 apparatusdoes not require a large LN2 storage tank, sub cooler unit, anadjustable phase separator tank, or “keep full” devices along vacuumjacketed pipes. It should be appreciated a benefit of the presentinvention is that it has half the internal plumbing of the conventionalapproach, is more efficient, is cost effective, and safer (e.g., lesscryogenic supply infrastructure and thus less inherent risk). TheCryostat-100 apparatus is truly designed for the entire vacuum pressurerange from 1×10-6 torr to 1000 torr (i.e., a torr is 1/760^(th) of anatmosphere).

This invention (Cryostat-100) follows and builds upon these threepatents, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety:

(1) “Thermal Insulation Testing Method and Apparatus,” U.S. Pat. No.6,824,306 issued Nov. 30, 2004 (Cryostat-1);

(2) “Methods of Testing Thermal Insulation and Associated TestApparatus,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,926 issued Jun. 1, 2004 (Cryostat-4);and

(3) “Multi-purpose Thermal Insulation Test Apparatus,” U.S. Pat. No.6,487,866 issued Dec. 3, 2002 (Cryostat-2). Cryostat-100 is animprovement and replacement for Cryostat-1, incorporating features fromboth Cryostat-2 and Cryostat-4 and providing additional innovations.

In one embodiment, a method is provided that is adaptable for use with aboil-off flow measuring device for determining thermal performance of atesting material. A cold mass comprises an inner vessel having a top, abottom, a sidewall defining a testing chamber, and the sidewall forreceiving a testing material. The cold mass also comprises a firstthermal guard chamber positioned at the top of the inner vessel and asecond thermal guard chamber positioned at the bottom of the innervessel. An outer vacuum chamber encloses the inner vessel and thetesting material. A plurality of liquid conduits receives a cryogenicfluid having a normal boiling point below ambient temperature. Eachliquid conduit communicates through the outer vacuum chamber to arespective one of the testing chamber, first thermal guard chamber, andsecond thermal guard chamber.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for testing thermalconductivity. A cylindrical test specimen is positioned around acylindrical cold mass comprised of a stacked upper vessel, test vessel,and lower vessel, which in turn is within a vacuum chamber. Each of thestacked upper vessel, test vessel, and lower vessel of the cylindricalcold mass are filled and vented via a respective top feedthrough. Boththe filling and the venting process are achieved through a single portfor each chamber. A filling tube with certain hole patterns at the lowerend connected to a top funnel is used to accomplish the cool down andfilling of a given chamber. The single port method greatly simplifiesthe overall complexity of the apparatus and reduces the solid conductionheat leak from the vacuum can to the cold mass by about half (comparedto prior method of separate ports for filling and venting). A coldvacuum pressure is maintained within the vacuum chamber. This vacuumlevel can be automatically maintained at any pressure desired using agaseous feed controller connected to a suitable pressure transducer. Acold boundary temperature of an outer portion of the test specimen and awarm boundary temperature of an inner portion of the test specimen aremeasured while maintaining a set temperature of the cold mass (by virtueof the full or essentially full cold mass). The warm boundarytemperature is maintained by a combination of electrical heaters. Asystem of heater elements mounted on a sleeve mounted inside the vacuumchamber wall provides fine warm boundary control. A heater jacket on theexternals of the vacuum can provides overall heat control and systembake-out capability. An effective thermal conductivity for the testspecimen at a given cold vacuum pressure is calculated based upon theboil-off flow rate, cold boundary temperature, warm boundarytemperature, and inside and outside diameter of the specimen(thickness).

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating of the outer surface of theinsulation test article is a critical part of the operation forproducing steady-state conditions. The design includes bake-out heaterson the outside of the vacuum can for rough level of heating control. Thedesign includes a custom heating system on the inside of the vacuum canthat includes a high emissivity black coated aluminum sleeve with anumber of thin film heaters glued on with a special high-temperature,vacuum compatible adhesive; the heaters are wired together for a singlepoint temperature control; thermocouples are attached to the sleeve toprovide the reference temperature.

In an additional embodiment, an apparatus is provided for measuringthermal conductivity. A vacuum canister has a lid that is attachable andsealable to a lower cylindrical portion. A cold mass is comprised of avertical cylindrical stack of an upper vessel, a test vessel, and alower vessel. Three feedthrough conduits pass through the lid of thevacuum canister to fill and to vent, respectively, the upper vessel, thetest vessel, and the lower vessel. A vertical machine jack screwpositions a carriage engagable to the lid of the vacuum canister forpositioning the cold mass suspended from the lid into the lowercylindrical portion. Alternatively, an overhead hoist can be used. Avacuum system and gaseous purge feed system together produce the desiredvacuum pressure within the vacuum canister. The vacuum pressure level ismeasured by a number of transducers as desired. Typically, threedifferent transducers are used to cover the entire range of measurementfrom high vacuum to ambient pressure. The warm boundary temperature ismeasured by a plurality of temperature sensors such as thermocouples.Intermediate temperatures may also be similarly measured to allow thecalculation of layer-by-layer thermal conductivity through the thicknessof a specimen. The cold boundary temperature of a test specimenpositioned around the cold mass is measured by temperature sensorsplaced on the cold mass surface or may be accurately determined by thesaturation temperature of the liquid in correspondence to the prevailingatmospheric pressure (room pressure). The inner diameter of the coldmass is known and the outer diameter of the insulation specimen is takenby circumference measurement or other suitable means.

Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings. Inthe following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident, however,that the various embodiments may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to facilitate describing theseembodiments.

In FIG. 1, to eliminate or minimize the foregoing and other problems, anew method of testing cryogen insulation systems has been developed. Inparticular, the present invention overcomes the foregoing problems byproviding a cryogenic testing (Cryostat-100) apparatus 100 having aboil-off calorimeter system for calibrated measurement of the effectivethermal conductivity (k-value) of a testing material (not shown in FIG.1), for example insulation material, at a fixed vacuum level.

It should be appreciated with benefit of the present disclosure that theCryostat-100 apparatus 100 is an absolute instrument meaning that whatyou get (boil-off) is directly proportional to what you want (thermalconductivity or heat flux), with no calibration required. Boil-off flowis directly proportional to the heat energy rate (power) through thethickness of the test specimen and no calibration is required. Bycontrast, some means of suitable calibration is appropriate for anytester that is not absolute and also any absolute tester that measuresheat indirectly, such as by electrical power balances. In fact, theCryostat-100 apparatus 100 meets a need to calibrate measurement devicesthat are comparative type or indirect type.

In particular, a vacuum canister 102 has a lid 104 with threefeedthroughs 106 a-106 c capable of filling and venting a cryogenicfluid (e.g., liquid nitrogen (LN2)), a view port 108, auxiliary ports110 for instrumentation, and a pair of lifting supports (handling lugs)112. A uniquely designed lift mechanism 114 can be utilized to performrapid and efficient change out of insulation test specimen from theCryostat-100 apparatus 100. The lifting mechanism 114 raises and lowersthe lid 104 in order to mount and seal to a lower cylindrical portion116 to the lid 104. The lower cylindrical portion 116 has a flangevacuum port 117 for connecting to a vacuum source 118 and auxiliaryports 110, such as for connecting to a residual gas metering system 120and for connecting to a vacuum measurement sensor 122. The vacuumpumping (evacuation) and gaseous back-filling processes are veryimportant to all types of cryostat testing. The design includes baffles123 at the main vacuum pumping ports on the bottom (not shown in FIG.1).

The lift mechanism 114 has a frame 124 whose top bearing support 126 andlower bellows 128 receives for rotation a machine screw jack 130 that isvertically aligned. The frame 124 is supported by a locking turntable132 that can be selectively released by a turntable release pedal 134for rotation left or right for readily facilitating working on andchanging out the cold mass assembly (described below). Ball lock pins136 horizontally lock respectively a breakaway lift arms assembly 138 toan elevator frame 140 to form a carriage 141 received for verticalmovement on the frame 124. The breakaway lift arms assembly 138 hasdistal ends that receive the lifting supports (handling lugs) 112 of thevacuum canister 102 and has proximal ends that are pivotally attached tothe elevator frame 140.

The frame 124 has a pair of vertically aligned and parallel linearbearing rails 142, 144 that receive for vertical movement a plurality ofpillow block bearings 146 of the carriage 141 and an actuator arm 148that is thread engaged to the machine screw jack 130 for being raised orlowered as the machine screw jack 130 is rotated, which in an exemplaryimplementation is by a hand wheel 150 that has a hand drill adapter (notshown).

Liquid nitrogen (LN2) filling assembly 152 provides funnels and flexiblehoses for connecting to the three feedthroughs 106 a-106 c as depictedat 154.

In an illustrative implementation, however, a portable 10-liter dewar(not shown) can be poured manually into funnel assemblies 155, eachcomprising a funnel 156 and a funnel tube 157. Note that the funnels 156can be wrapped with aerogel blanket material and further wrapped withshrink wrap plastic film that hangs down a few inches below the bottomof the funnel 156 (not shown). These skirts keep the area around thefeedthrough 106 a-106 c of the cryostat 100 apparatus 100 “purged” bythe nitrogen coming out and therefore reducing moisture and iceformation which could cause blockage or a tube getting stuck.

It should be appreciated with the benefit of the present invention thatthe dimensions can be selected to be sufficient for the required rate offilling and venting using a single port for each chamber. Alternativelyor in addition, multiple ports for each chamber can be sized in order toaccommodate a larger thermal flux without necessarily changing thediameters of the tubing.

In an exemplary implementation, filling tubes 157 are 5/16″ SSTthin-wall tubing (0.030″). The thinner the wall thickness, the better toprovide more flow area and less cool down mass. Since the tubes arelong, sufficient strength is provided to avoid damage during handling.In one embodiment, tubing of ⅜″ can be used, although the limitedclearance to the inner diameter of the feedthrough 106 a-106 c can tendto get stuck or provide insufficient venting. In TABLE 1, exemplarydimensions are provided for 5/16″ SST funnel tubes 157.

TABLE 1 Distance (inches) Hole Total # Length Sets of of each set ofholes Size of (inches) holes* from the bottom (in) holes 32 4 0.5 5/3216 Top #1 1.5 5/32 7.5 1/12 8 1/12 55 6 0.5 5/32 24 Middle #2 1.5 5/322.5 5/32 3.5 5/32 21.5 1/12 22 1/12 58.5 2 0.5 5/32 8 Bottom #3 1 1/12Each set of holes contains 4 holes. The holes in each set can be spaced90° apart. The bottom of the tube can be rolled in slightly. The top ofthe tube can be flared to ⅜″ flared tube fitting (37.5 degree KC or AN)to connect to the funnel 156.

In FIG. 2, the vacuum canister 102 encompasses a cylindrically shapedcold mass assembly 200 having a vertically assembled stack of threecylinders, specifically an upper vessel 202, an inner vessel 204, and alower vessel 206. The cold mass assembly 200 is suspended by stringsuspension lines 207 made of polymer fibers such as KEVLAR (or stainlesssteel wire) from the lid 104 inside the vacuum canister 102 to form theCryostat-100 apparatus 100.

The three feedthroughs 106 a-106 c communicate to fill and ventrespectively at the same time through a given port, an upper guardchamber 208 of the upper vessel 202, a test chamber 210 of the innervessel 204, and a lower guard chamber 212 of the lower vessel 206.

The simultaneous filling and venting through a single port is achievedby inserting the funnel assembly 155 including a funnel (fill) tube 157(FIG. 1) of a certain diameter and with a plurality of holes of certainsizes and positions along the tube. The clearance between the outerdiameter of the fill tube and the inner diameter of the feedthrough tubeprovides the pathway for the vent gas. The holes in the fill tubeprovide an optimized balance between cold gas spray effect for morerapid cool down and liquid delivery for more rapid filling and refillingof the cold mass chambers.

Feedthrough 106 a is depicted by phantom lines to indicate residence ina cutaway portion of the vacuum canister 102 that was otherwise omitted.Each chamber 208-212 receives a cryogenic liquid (cryogen), for exampleliquid nitrogen (LN2), helium (LHe), hydrogen (LH2), methane, or otherknown refrigerants. Any suitable liquid with a boiling point belowambient temperature may be used with appropriate facility adaptations.

For LH2 or LHe, the system would be essentially the same. The materialsof construction can be the same and the fabrication techniques can bethe same. At normal atmospheric pressure of 14.7 psia (760 torr), LH2boils at 20 K and LHe at 4.2 K. The cold mass assembly could be madelighter weight, by an appropriate combination of materials andconstruction methods, just to save on the consumption of helium duringcool down.

The apparatus incorporates a number of design features that minimizeheat leak, except through specific portions of the inner vessel 204. Forexample, the upper and lower guard chambers 208, 212 ensure thermalstability and complete thermal isolation of the cryogenic environment ofthe test chamber 210. The cold mass assembly 200 receives a cylindricaltest specimen 214 onto its external vertical surface. A sleeve supportand guide 217 is attached to the lower guard chamber 212 to providesupport to the test specimen 214 and keep the cylindrically shaped coldmass assembly 200 centered in the cylindrical portion 116 of the vacuumcanister 102. The heat leak rate through top 216 and bottom 218 of theinner vessel 204 is reduced to a very small fraction of the heat leakthrough a cylindrical sidewall 220 of the inner vessel 204. Cold gasvapor pockets 222 in the top 216 and bottom 218 provide additionalthermal separation to achieve complete thermal isolation during finalsteady-state operation of the assembly.

Temperature sensors (e.g., thermocouples) 224 are placed between layersof the testing material of the test specimen 214 (e.g., foam, bulk fill,multi-layer insulation (MLI), blanket, clam-shell forms) that is wrappedaround the cold mass assembly 200 to obtain temperature-thicknessprofiles. An aluminum sleeve (not shown) is used to test bulk-fillmaterials. The black coated high emissivity sleeve provides a nominalannular space gap into which the material is poured. Several fiberglassrings at both top and bottom keep the material in place. Alternatively,the test specimen 214 can be molded, for example two half cylindricalsleeves (not shown) held to the cold mass assembly 200 by band clamps ortape. The effective thermal conductivity (k-value) of the testingmaterial is determined by measuring the boil-off flow rate of thecryogenic fluid and temperature differential between a cold boundarytemperature and a warm boundary temperature for a known thickness of thetesting material. A heater 226 on the entire outer surface of the vacuumcanister 102 provides bake-out of the test specimens and basic warmboundary control. An internal heater 227 is attached inside the vacuumcanister 102 to provide fine temperature and heating control toestablish the precise warm boundary temperature required for the test(293 K+/−0.3 K is typical). The internal heater system is composed ofseveral thin-film type flexible heating elements attached to the outersurface of an aluminum sleeve that extends the length of the cold masswithin. This sleeve is a high-emissivity black coated internal surfaceto direct the maximum heat energy toward the cold mass and thereforedecrease the power levels and improve system control. The sleeveassembly is held in place inside the inner wall of the vacuum can byplastic composite (for example, G-10 fiberglass epoxy composite)stand-offs. Warm boundary temperatures from about 100 K to 400 K arepossible, with 250 K to 350 K being most typical. A vacuum 228 ismaintained inside of the vacuum canister 102.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cold mass assembly 200 undergoesacceptance testing by X-ray weld inspection, liquid nitrogen cold shock,helium mass spectrometer leak test, and vacuum retention testing. Thecold mass assembly 200 has a surface finish of a black chrome testchamber portion 210 and electropolished upper and lower guard chamberportions 208, 212.

In FIG. 3, the cold mass assembly 200 in an exemplary embodiment isassembled to create the upper, inner and lower vessels 202, 204, 206that include cold gas vapor pockets 222 there between. In particular,the top 216 of the inner vessel 204 is formed from a top disk 230 weldedaround its circumference to a lower disk 232, each presenting a concavesurface to the other to define the cold gas vapor pocket 222. Similar,the bottom 218 of the inner vessel 204 is formed from a top disk 234welded around its circumference to a lower disk 236, each presenting aconcave surface to the other to define the cold gas vapor pocket 222.The pockets are filled with carbon dioxide or other condensable gas suchthat a vacuum is created when the cold mass is filled with the cryogenicliquid (cryogen). This device then provides thermal isolation betweeneither liquid volume in the guard chambers and the liquid volume of thetest chamber. The thermal isolation is obtained by precluding directsolid conduction heat transfer from one liquid volume to another.Isolation is further enhanced by the insulation effectiveness of thepocket itself as the cryogenic conditions produce a high-vacuumcondition within and a corresponding high level of thermal insulatingperformance. This isolation is critical for the very low heatmeasurement capability to be achieved as small variations in liquidtemperatures between chambers can easily lead to dramatically negativeconsequences (e.g., axial heat conduction) on the fine heat rates thatmust be measured radially through the thickness of the insulationspecimen and into the cold mass test chamber.

By contrast, prior approach required a carefully supervised, lengthymethodology with complex ancillary equipment and was prone tonon-optimal results. In particular, vapor pockets in the cryogenicchambers were created to produce thermal isolation required for finestability. However, the methodology entailed phasing of operations toaccomplish the vapor pockets. Flow to the chambers was stopped at justthe right times and in just the right order to produce small ullagespaces in the chambers.

By having bulk-head plates welded together with a cavity in betweenfilled with CO₂, no servicing is required during their useful lifetime.Alternatively, an insulation material such as aerogel granules could beinstalled between two plates for any combination of decreased heattransfer, increased structural integrity, and increased acousticabsorption. Applications for such compact, lightweight and/or moreaerodynamic design can be used for any precision measuring equipment ordevice requiring heat transfer isolation between two chambers of likefluids. Alternatively or in addition, such vapor pocket containingdevices can be used in common bulkhead cryogenic tank constructions forfuture launch vehicles or space craft.

In FIG. 4, the lift mechanism 114 is depicted. The carriage 141 isremoved from the frame 124 to show that the actuator arm 148 proximallypresents a vertical hole 238 aligned with a downwardly projecting sleeve240, the latter sized to be received within the bellows 128 andproviding an elongate inner diameter for presenting inner diameterthreads (not shown) to engage outer diameter threads of the machinescrew jack 130.

In FIG. 5, a methodology or sequence of operations 500 is depicted forpreparing a test specimen. During an exemplary use, the cold massassembly is easily and quickly removed from the vacuum chamber by usingthe lift mechanism (block 502) and positioned as needed forreconfiguration. The cold mass can be further removed from the lid andplaced on a vertical or horizontal insulation-wrapping machine such asby using special handling tools (block 504). Alternatively or inaddition, the test specimen can be assembled from foam, bulk fill,multi-layer insulation (MLI), blanket, clam-shell, or other forminsulation material onto the cold mass assembly (block 506). A compositecircular plate (G-10 material) is optionally attached to be bottom endof the cold mass. This plate serves as vertical resting point for theinsulation material and also as a guide for the cold mass assembly whilebeing lowered into the vacuum can. A black sleeve (aluminum) withstand-offs comprised of multiple layers of micro fiberglass rings(donuts) on each end are used to hold a bulk-fill material in place. Forexample, using an effective length of the cold mass of 575 mm, the meansurface area for heat transfer through a typical 25-mm thick insulationtest article is 0.35 m².

Temperature sensors, such as thermocouples, are optionally placed atvarious thicknesses within the testing material (block 508). A firsttemperature sensor on the inner vessel is designated the cold boundarytemperature sensor. The cold boundary temperature is preferablydetermined from the known saturation temperature and pressure of thecryogenic liquid or other test liquid. A second temperature sensor onthe outer surface of the testing material is designated the warmboundary temperature sensor. The warm boundary temperature sensor may beplaced at any known distance from the inner vessel but is normallyplaced on the outer surface of the insulation test specimen. Three ormore temperature sensors may be placed along a vertical line to provideinformation for more improved heater control in establishing the warmboundary temperature. The warm boundary in other designs may beestablished by the environmental temperature of the vacuum can such asmay be provided by ambient air, a fluid bath, or other conventional heatexchange methods. Sensors are typically placed between any or all layersof the insulation to obtain complete temperature profiles. Steady-statemeasurement of insulation performance is made when all temperatures andthe boil-off flow are stable. The k-value of the insulation is directlydetermined from the measured boil-off rate, temperature difference(WBT−CBT), latent heat of vaporization, and geometry of the insulation.All measurements are preferably recorded on an automatically recordingdata acquisition system.

In an exemplary embodiment, test materials are installed around acylindrical copper sleeve using a custom-built 1-meter wide wrappingmachine. Testing of blanket, multilayer insulation, and continuouslyrolled specimens is facilitated by the sleeve employed in theCryostat-100. Insulation test articles 167-mm inside diameter by1000-mm-in length up to 70-mm-in thickness can be fabricated and tested.After fabrication of the insulation system, the sleeve is simply slidonto the vertical cold mass of the Cryostat-100. The gap between thecold mass and the sleeve measures less than 1 mm. An interface materialsuch as thermally conductive grease may also be applied within the gapto ensure good thermal contact between the cold mass and the testspecimen.

After the testing material is secured to the cold mass assembly, thecold mass assembly is installed within the vacuum chamber using liftmechanism such that the insulation test specimen remains undisturbed(block 510). In an exemplary embodiment, the cold mass assembly issuspended by a plurality of support threads or wires, such as six KEVLARthreads with hooks and hardware for attachment and length adjustmentprior to insertion into the vacuum chamber (block 512). KEVLAR threadshave a low thermal conductivity, a high tensile strength and greatlyresist elongation. Therefore, a relatively small diameter KEVLAR threadminimizes any additional heat transfer to the inner vessel. Hooks aredesigned to avoid wear damage to the threads.

Once the cold mass assembly is secure, the vacuum chamber is sealed(block 514), the cryogenic fluid is supplied to the upper, inner andlower vessels via respective funnel and fill tubes, until the innervessel is full and at a constant temperature (block 516). The vacuumchamber is maintained at a constant vacuum, using an exemplary vacuumpumping and gas metering system (block 518), and a set sidewalltemperature, using a preferred electrical heater system (block 520). Thetemperature differential between the cold boundary temperature and thewarm boundary temperature of the testing material is measured by thetemperature sensors and these values, along with the boil-off flow rateand the material thickness, are used to compute the k-value (block 522).While calibration of the device is not required, verification of zeroheat leak rates through the ends, or “end effects” can be accomplishedby testing a material with a known k-value under the pressure andtemperature conditions of interest.

In FIG. 6, an exemplary methodology or sequence of operations 600 isprovided for cryogenic boil-off, cylindrical absolute thermalperformance testing. The Cryostat-100 apparatus is provided with avacuum chamber having ports to accommodate funnel-type filling systemwith three (3) feedthroughs (pairs of feedthroughs), capable of thecombination filling and venting of each of the three chambers. There aretemperature sensors (e.g., 15 pairs of thermocouple lead wireconductors), a viewing port, and auxiliary ports for additionalinstrumentation (block 602). The cold mass is supported by strings orthin wires to minimize heat transfer from the lid and cold gas vaporpockets are provided between chambers to eliminate heat transfer fromeither end into the test chamber (block 604). The device may accommodateany number of different test sleeves and any type of material formincluding a wrap, continuously rolled, bulk, loose-fill, clam-shell,panels, and other forms of material. Materials can be isotropic,multi-layered, combinations, or composites. During operation of theCryostat-100 apparatus, three chambers are cooled and then filled withliquid nitrogen (LN2), liquid hydrogen (LH2), liquid helium (LHe), orother cryogens or liquid refrigerants and allowed to stabilize (block606). In an exemplary embodiment, each chamber is filled and ventedthrough a respective feedthrough funnel tube assembly (block 608).Vacuum canister temperature and vacuum levels are maintained (block610). Mass flow rate from the test chamber and temperature distributionthrough the insulation are recorded and used to determine the specimen'sk-value (block 612). Generally, the k-value and heat flux are calculatedand these are directly proportional to the boil-off flow rate. Boil-offflow rates for the upper guard chamber and the lower guard chamber arealso recorded to provide additional information in controlling the testand verification of unidirectional heat transfer through the thicknessof the test specimen as well as overall thermal stability of the system.

During testing of block 610, five operational sequences may be performedincluding:

(1) Heating and vacuum pumping (block 614);

(2) Liquid nitrogen cooling and filling (block 616);

(3) Cold soak (block 618);

(4) Replenish boil-off (block 620); and

(5) Steady-state boil-off (block 622).

Initial cool down of the cold mass assembly is achieved in approximatelytwo hours. Complete cool down and thermal stabilization through thethickness of the insulation test specimen may require from 2 to 200hours or perhaps more depending on the level of thermal performance ofthe test specimen. It should be appreciated that quick duration testscan also be performed to achieve good data, although the results may notbe necessarily certified against prior tests or standard reference data.During cool down and stabilization, all three chambers are replenishedas necessary to maintain them approximately full. Liquid levels mayrange from approximately half full to full without compromise to thesuccess of the cool down and stabilization phase. Boil-off flow ratesfor all three chambers are continuously monitored during this time bymaintaining connection via flexible plastic tubing to the three massflow meters. The level of back-pressure on the chambers, while notcritical to the operation, must be maintained consistently and similarlyfor all three chambers. The similar back-pressures are achieved simplyby keeping all three connecting tubes (inner diameter and length),connecting hardware, and flow meter types the same. These three flowsmay be further connected to a single reservoir to singularly andsimultaneously regulate the back-pressure on all the liquid chambers sothat periodic atmospheric pressure variations are either eliminated orminimized to an acceptable level.

In an exemplary embodiment, heavy stainless steel construction withintegral vapor pockets provides stratified (not mixed) liquid conditionin all three chambers. Thereby, the prior art problems associated withre-condensation of test chamber boil-off vent gas is avoided.Ultra-critical chamber pressure regulation and complex control systems,required in the prior art of boil-off testing, is completely eliminatedby the Cryostat-100 design. At very low heat flux levels, the dailycyclic variations in barometric pressure can cause a similar cyclicpattern in the boil-off test result. But this effect is eliminated orminimized by discharging all three vent flows into a common reservoirsurge vessel that is maintained at a slightly higher pressure above theprevailing room pressure (a delta pressure of about 4 millibar issufficient for most locations). Back pressure regulation is generallyrequired for very low heat transfer rate testing and is generallyunnecessary for medium to high heat transfer rate tests.

While test operations utilizing the Cryostat-100 may be lengthy induration, the actual operation of the Cryostat-100 apparatus 100requires little operator intervention. Consequently, production of newengineering data and scientific information is much more cost effective.The design of the Cryostat-100 apparatus 100 is fully modular, portable,repeatable, and adaptable to different fluids or environmental testconditions. The Cryostat-100 apparatus 100 is particularly well suitedfor testing a wide variety of materials including, but not limited to,bulk fill, powders, multilayer, foams, clam-shells, layered composites,etc. The device is easily adapted to utilizing different boundarytemperatures up to 400 K and any cold boundary temperature above 77 Kwhen using liquid nitrogen as the test liquid. Minor adaptations inmaterial selection and facility details can allow cold boundarytemperatures of 20 K (liquid hydrogen) or 4 K (liquid helium). The dataobtained from utilization of the Cryostat-100 apparatus 100 is to alevel of accuracy that it creates standard reference material for thecalibration of conventional insulation test equipment. Other coldboundary temperatures could be designed for 216 K (carbon dioxide), 246K (Freon R134a), 351 K (ethyl alcohol), and other known refrigerantswith suitable boiling points and latent heats of vaporization.

In one exemplary embodiment, a Cryostat-100 test procedure can providefor a minimum of eight (8) Cold Vacuum Pressure (CVP) values (block702), starting at no vacuum (760 torr) with nitrogen as the residual gas(block 704), working down to high vacuum (<1×10-5) (block 706). Thek-value calculated from the average flow rate at 100-99% or 92-88% full,depending on the heat transfer range, using a relationship

${k = {\frac{V\; \rho \; h_{fg}{\ln \left( \frac{D_{o}}{D_{i}} \right)}}{2\pi \; L\; \Delta \; T}\left( {{block}\mspace{14mu} 708} \right)}},$

where

k is effective thermal conductivity (k-value),

L is effective heat transfer length of the cold mass inner vessel,

h_(fg) is heat of vaporization of the refrigerant,

D_(o) is outer diameter of the insulation (warm boundary),

D_(i) is inner diameter of the insulation (cold boundary),

ρ(rho) is a density of the boil-off gas under standard conditions,

V is a volumetric flow rate of boil-off gas,

ΔT is full temperature difference between warm boundary surface and coldboundary surface, which in the exemplary implementation is based uponCold-Boundary Temperature (CBT), 78 K; Warm-Boundary Temperature (WBT),293 K; to result in ΔT Temperature difference, 216 K, and

Full-range Cold Vacuum Pressure (CVP) is between High vacuum (HV), below1×10-5 torr and Soft vacuum (SV), ˜1 torr with No Vacuum (NV), 760 torr.Similarly, the thermal flux can be calculated (block 710), for which anexemplary calculation follows.

In FIG. 8, a methodology 800 utilizing a spreadsheet for calculatingmean heat transfer rate for concentric cylindrical geometry is depictedin spreadsheet form for an exemplary set of input data. The methodology800 utilizes the following relationships:

Am=Mean Heat Transfer Area (m2)

Am=(Ao−Ai)/LN(Ao/Ai)

Q=Heat Transfer Rate (W)

Q=k*Am*(WBT−CBT)/DX

q=Q/Am=Heat Flux Rate (W/m2)

q=k*(WBT−CBT)/DX

Calculate Area:

Ao=Outside Insulation Surface Area

Ao=π*Do*L

Ai=Sleeve Outside Surface Area

Ai=π*Di*L

Am=(Ao−Ai)/LN(Ao/Ai)

(Ao−Ai)=π*L*(Do−Di)=2*π*L*(DX)

Am=2*π*L*(DX)/LN(Do/Di)

Calculate Heat Q

Q=h*m

Q={k*[2*π*L*(DX)/LN(Do/Di)]*[(WBT−CBT)}/DX]}

Q=2*π*k*L*(WBT−CBT)/LN(Do/Di)

Calculate Heat Flux q

q=Q/Am=k*(WBT−CBT)/DX

Calculate apparent thermal conductivity k

k=h*m*LN(Do/Di)/2*π*L*(WBT−CBT)

The following TABLE 2 is an exemplary reference for gaseous nitrogen(GN2) that can be utilized in these calculations:

TABLE 2 Density of nitrogen gas at STP 0 deg C. and 760 torr (referencefor massflow meters) 101.3 kPa & 273 K gives 0.0012502 g/cm{circumflexover ( )}3 14.696 psia & 492 R gives 0.078009 lbm/ft{circumflex over( )}3 Gaseous Nitrogen (GN2) Saturation pressure saturation temperatureHeat of Vaporization (Hfg) psig K J/g 0.0 77.4 199.3 0.1 fix 198.6 0.2198.0 0.3 197.3 0.4 196.6 0.5 196.0 0.6 195.3 0.7 194.6 0.8 193.9 0.9193.3 1.0 192.6

Cryostat-100 was proven in a Cryogenics Test Laboratory to providethermal characterization of the materials in terms of absolute thermalconductivity (k-value). Test articles were cylindrical (foam, bulk fill,multilayer insulation (MLI), blanket), each of approximate 25-mmthickness.

The following 29 pairs of tables provide illustrative empirical data forthese various types of insulation specimens.

TABLE A102-a A102 Glass Q/Am Bubbles 65 CVP k-value Qtot Heat Flux FlowRate WBT 25-mm Bubbles (microns) (mW/m-K) (W) (W/m2) (sccm) (K) 0.00220.697 2.054 5.893 496 292.8 0.003 0.694 2.043 5.862 493.723 292.632 0.10.695 2.049 5.879483501 495.156 293.013 1 0.711 2.096 6.014347202506.403 292.904 2 0.739 2.188 6.278335725 528.785 293.713 5 0.763 2.2466.444763271 542.729 292.588 10 0.83 2.448 7.024390244 591.635 292.949 100.82 2.419 6.941176471 584.524 293.095 25 0.968 2.861 8.209469154 691.42293.327 50 1.224 3.62 10.38737446 874.875 293.585 102 1.704 5.04814.48493544 1219.792 293.838 200 2.675 7.903 22.67718795 1909.807293.316 349 3.773 11.158 32.01721664 2696.372 293.536 350 3.857 11.40932.7374462 2757.017 293.588 993 7.737 22.872 65.62984218 5527.103293.446 998 7.779 22.953 65.86226686 5546.57 293.047 3002 13.764 40.535116.312769 9795.309 292.649 9960 19.894 59.051 169.4433286 14269.927294.339 9988 19.84 58.602 168.1549498 14161.461 293.278 30027 22.80367.427 193.4777618 16294.025 293.512 99882 25.089 73.913 212.088952717861.372 292.714 99943 25.171 74.358 213.3658537 17968.836 293.301760000 25.608 75.763 217.3974175 18308.423 293.631 760000 26.053 77.246221.6527977 18666.624 294.092 TABLE A102-b Tfinal OD ID Height MassDensity mm mm mm mm g g/cc 25.40 217.90 167.10 720.70 885.6 0.080

TABLE A103-a A103 Perlite Powder 132 25-mm CVP CVP k Qtot Q/Am Flow WBTPerlite (m) (m) (mW/m-K) (W) (W/m2) (sccm) (K) 0.001 0.001 0.936 2.7567.908177905 665.882 292.573 0.1 0.1034 0.953 2.808 8.057388809 678.642292.731 0.5 0.4936 0.955 2.81 8.06312769 679.134 292.519 1 0.9982 0.9992.945 8.450502152 711.566 292.881 5 5.0004 1.153 3.401 9.758967001821.789 292.916 10 10.0148 1.308 3.867 11.09612626 934.549 293.483 2524.9977 1.883 5.555 15.93974175 1342.341 293.038 100 100.1024 3.81411.261 32.31276901 2721.186 293.185 1,000 1027.1 13.994 41.22118.2783357 9961.001 292.679 10,000 10042.1181 27.879 81.789 234.688665719764.548 291.821 10,000 10009.7577 27.815 81.903 235.0157819 19792.102292.607 100,000 92341.1371 33.695 99.405 285.2367288 24021.457 293.015100,000 100038.0546 33.522 98.923 283.8536585 23905.112 293.077 100,000100025.5157 33.679 99.227 284.7259684 23978.425 292.734 760,000 76000034.737 102.482 294.0659971 24765.199 293.025 760,000 760000 34.954103.265 296.312769 24954.354 293.321 TABLE A103-b Tfinal OD ID HeightMass Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc 25.40 217.90 167.10 733.43 1875 0.166

TABLE A104-a A104 SOFI BX-265, NV to HV 1″ BX-265, CVP CVP k Qtot Q/AmFlow WBT no rind (m) (m) (mW/m-K) (W) (W/m2) (sccm) (K) 760,000 76000021.17 59.69 171.276901 14424.321 292.794 760,000 760000 21.142 59.61171.0473458 14404.835 292.785 NV to HV 500,000 500000 20.383 57.661165.4548063 13933.881 293.5 500,000 500000 20.441 57.755 165.724533713956.589 293.239 200,000 200000 20.188 57.098 163.8393113 13797.809293.455 200,000 200000 20.203 57.074 163.7704448 13792.199 293.211100,000 99991.5313 19.974 56.364 161.733142 13620.557 292.969 100,00099980.53 19.883 56.046 160.82066 13543.611 292.737 10,000 10019.689219.848 56.004 160.7001435 13533.523 292.955 10,000 9996.6013 19.72955.642 159.661406 13446.147 292.851 1,000 999.9946 19.692 55.628159.6212339 13442.783 293.197 1,000 1001.6359 19.535 55.14 158.220946913324.739 293.024 100 100.0178 18.572 52.405 150.3730273 12663.848292.96 100 100.0433 18.313 51.692 148.3271162 12491.626 293.036 100100.0538 18.414 51.974 149.1362984 12559.637 293.016 10 10.003 14.4640.805 117.0875179 9860.588 292.974 10 9.9839 14.524 40.977 117.58106179902.238 292.924 1 1.002 8.738 24.658 70.75466284 5958.649 292.972 10.9993 9 24.513 70.33859397 5923.609 293.072 0.1 0.4293 8.235 23.05866.16355811 5572.039 293.022 TABLE A104-b Tfinal OD ID Height Mass*Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc 26.70 220.60 167.10 1076.30 729.000 0.04157*Mass after testing

TABLE A105-a A105 SOFI NCFI 24-124 1″ NCFI 24- CVP CVP k Qtot Q/Am FlowWBT 124, no rind (m) (m) (mW/m-K) (W) (W/m2) (sccm) (K) 760,000 76000021.162 61.822 177.3945481 14939.483 292.697 760,000 760000 21.139 61.784177.2855093 14930.408 292.797 NV to HV 500,000 497125.474 20.914 61.175175.5380201 14783.149 292.967 200,000 200694.9709 20.855 61.074175.2482066 14758.767 293.219 100,000 100066.0614 20.912 61.203175.6183644 14789.795 293.081 10,000 10012.5575 20.926 61.227 175.68723114795.761 293.03 1,000 1008.8108 20.161 58.932 169.1018651 14241.116292.814 1,000 1008.2997 20.345 59.511 170.7632712 14381.02 292.97 100100.0439 18.665 54.613 156.7087518 13197.464 293.037 10 9.9961 13.39639.189 112.4505022 9470.177 292.988 10 10.0507 13.658 39.972 114.6972749659.286 293.08 1 1.661 9.207 26.937 77.29411765 6509.312 293.012 11.3321 9.242 26.98 77.41750359 6519.773 292.547 1 1.1988 9.195 26.87877.12482066 6495.171 292.822 1 1.0231 8.978 26.249 75.31994261 6343.164292.854 1 1.0487 9 26.306 75.48350072 6356.895 292.8 0.1578 7.466 17.74150.90674319 4287.203 252.626 TABLE A105-b Tfinal OD ID Height MassDensity mm mm mm mm g g/cc 25.60 218.40 167.10 1037.20 607.000 0.03767

TABLE A106-a A106 SOFI NCFI 27-68 CVP CVP k Qtot Q/Am Flow WBT no rind(m) (m) (mW/m-K) (W) (W/m2) (sccm) (K) 760,000 767300 20.746 64.738165.3588761 15644.256 293.867 760,000 765000 20.86 64.901 165.775223515683.442 293.228 NV to HV 760,000 763500 20.743 64.55 164.878671815598.71 293.272 760,000 763500 20.8 64.838 165.614304 15668.366 293.648500,000 500000 20.711 64.403 164.5031928 15563.246 293.116 500,000500000 20.793 64.937 165.8671775 15692.262 294.047 200,000 200000 19.81861.642 157.4508301 14895.973 293.174 100,000 100000 19.796 61.575157.2796935 14879.914 293.179 10,000 10000 19.554 60.834 155.386973214700.735 293.221 1,000 990.3554 19.038 59.33 151.5453384 14337.354293.584 1,000 990.2368 18.953 59.061 150.8582375 14272.236 293.566 100100.0584 17.772 55.178 140.9399745 13334.052 292.787 100 99.9785 17.72555.09 140.715198 13312.558 293.01 10 10.0295 13.21 41.059 104.87611759922.103 293.009 10 9.9756 13.299 41.345 105.6066411 9991.057 293.064 11.0017 8.051 25.018 63.90293742 6045.636 292.959 0.1 0.9893 8.092 25.15364.24776501 6078.403 293.022 0.5 0.4888 7.334 22.791 58.214559395507.626 292.993 0.5 0.4226 7.578 23.555 60.1660281 5692.256 293.031TABLE A106-b Tfinal OD ID Height Mass Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc 24.4216.00 167.10 1054.10 575.000 0.03707

TABLE A107-a A107 SOFI NCFI 24-124, CVP CVP k Qtot Q/Am Flow WBT withrind (m) (m) (mW/m-K) (W) (W/m2) (sccm) (K) 760,000 765000 24.145 73.789187.662767 17831.353 293.107 760,000 763500 24.052 73.436 186.765005117745.994 292.908 NV to HV 760,000 764300 23.467 71.723 182.408443517332.099 293.128 760,000 763500 23.678 72.366 184.0437436 17487.591293.118 760,000 762800 23.636 72.134 183.4537131 17431.504 292.817500,000 500000 23.119 70.538 179.3947101 17045.685 292.761 500,000500000 23.237 70.978 180.5137335 17152.151 292.998 200,000 200000 22.85769.775 177.4542218 16861.244 292.869 100,000 101605.3336 22.576 68.926175.2950153 16656.172 292.896 100,000 100321.7679 22.599 68.973175.4145473 16667.575 292.823 10,000 10013.9647 22.506 68.64 174.567650116587.167 292.669 10,000 10011.7247 22.464 68.456 174.0996948 16542.578292.491 1,000 1077.8122 21.948 67.009 170.4196338 16192.958 292.8991,000 1065.7659 22.189 67.733 172.2609359 16367.961 292.864 100 99.988720.457 62.461 158.853001 15093.928 292.913 100 99.9672 20.507 62.609159.2293998 15129.577 292.89 10 9.9855 14.261 43.546 110.747711110522.908 292.928 10 10.0353 14.15 43.207 109.8855544 10441.036 292.9231 1.0102 8.712 26.597 67.64242116 6427.157 292.881 1 1.0075 8.628 26.36367.04730417 6370.681 293.071 0.5 0.6046 8.453 25.797 65.60783316 6234.07292.798 0.5 0.554 8.502 25.957 66.01475076 6272.697 292.91 TABLE A107-bTfinal OD ID Height Mass Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc 23.9 215.00 167.101074.70 589.000 0.03812

TABLE A108-a A108 Wh Beads Flow 25-mm thick CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBTQ/Am bulk fill (m) (sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 0.001 1231.0045.094 1.726 0.003 293.136 12.83770161 HV to NV 0.001 1203.718 4.9811.689 0.003 292.975 12.55292339 0.001 1222.401 5.058 1.714 0.003 293.0812.74697581 0.1 1232.438 5.1 1.727 0.1268 293.228 12.85282258 1 1303.0955.392 1.828 0.9945 292.981 13.58870968 10 1746.104 7.226 2.45 10.0025292.963 18.21068548 25 2175.728 9.004 3.048 25.0371 293.31 22.69153226100 3092.168 12.796 4.325 99.9368 293.618 32.24798387 1,000 5292.48421.901 7.435 999.7076 292.682 55.19405242 10,000 6332.033 26.203 8.8889993.799 292.88 66.03578629 100,000 7334.057 30.35 10.293 100006.9201292.898 76.48689516 200,000 7985.638 33.046 11.234 200000 292.39183.28125 500,000 9587.548 39.675 13.461 500000 292.814 99.98739919500,000 9578.745 39.638 13.449 500000 292.804 99.89415323 760,00010207.33 42.24 14.339 760000 292.698 106.4516129 TABLE A108-b Tfinal ODID Height Mass Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc 25.40 217.90 167.10 733.43 9670.086

TABLE A109-a A109 ORM Flow Beads CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Am bulkfill (m) (sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 0.005 946.562 3.917 1.3260.005 293.257 9.871471774 HV to NV 0.005 894.896 3.703 1.255 0.0046293.092 9.332157258 0.005 944.996 3.911 1.32 0.003 293.938 9.856350806 11033.533 4.277 1.447 0.9998 293.355 10.77872984 10 1496.822 6.194 2.0999.9278 293.119 15.60987903 100 3242.139 13.416 4.554 100.076 292.7433.81048387 100 3288.488 13.608 4.612 99.9742 293.042 34.29435484 1,0005486.875 22.706 7.692 1000.2033 293.147 57.22278226 10,000 6573.075 27.29.216 10000.38 293.104 68.5483871 100,000 7465.183 30.892 10.46100033.4264 293.254 77.85282258 100,000 7461.727 30.878 10.464100029.3308 293.073 77.81754032 760,000 9091.834 27.623 12.756 760000292.97 69.61441532 TABLE A109-b Tfinal OD ID Height Mass Density mm mmmm mm g g/cc 25.40 217.90 167.10 774.70 1201 0.101

TABLE A110-a A110 Flow LCI#1 CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Am blanket (m)(sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 0.002 205.848 0.852 0.253 0.002292.953 2.487346975 HV to NV 0.1 301.01 1.246 0.369 0.1035 293.1793.63759898 1 414.435 1.715 0.509 0.9888 292.946 5.006807584 10 1077.5214.459 1.326 10.0039 292.38 13.01769972 100 2653.854 10.982 3.257100.0035 293.017 32.06108507 1,000 4181.252 17.303 5.133 991.5724292.969 50.51474731 10,000 5142.219 21.296 6.316 9989.515 293.01162.17199668 100,000 7303.403 30.223 8.962 99836 293.051 88.23367091760,000 10791.607 44.657 13.272 768390.9742 292.58 130.3725984 TABLEA110-b Tfinal OD ID Height Mass Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc 21.86 210.83167.10

TABLE A111-a A111 Layered Flow aerogel- CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/AmPblanket (m) (sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 6 layers 0.010 1601.1496.626 1.678 0.01 292.597 19.69096345 of 2 mm 1 1759.041 7.279 1.8420.9888 292.82 21.63153078 HV to NV 10 2281.078 9.439 2.388 10.0069292.855 28.05055901 100 3424.129 14.17 3.588 100.0189 292.60542.11001389 1,000 5040.028 20.856 5.27 997.3821 293.09 61.97928368 1,0005031.295 20.82 5.259 999.6162 293.149 61.87229988 10,000 6518.375 26.9746.82 10002.9041 292.966 80.16058678 100,000 8887.418 36.778 9.29299986.7348 293.107 109.2958427 100,000 8992.79 37.214 9.407 99878.6095293.003 110.5915354 760,000 12712.59 52.607 13.266 760000 293.516156.3360269 760,000 12707.493 52.586 13.29 760000 293.044 156.2736197TABLE A111-b Tfinal OD ID Height Mass Density Density mm mm mm mm g g/cclayers/mm 18.28 203.67 167.10 0.328

TABLE A112-a A112 Layered Flow aerogel- CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/AmCblanket (m) (sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 2 layers 0.005 1159.994.8 1.468 0.005 292.973 13.96087068 of 10 mm 1 1299.283 5.377 1.6431.0046 293.205 15.63908367 HV to NV 10 1626.072 6.729 2.061 9.9805292.691 19.57139558 100 2299.153 9.514 2.913 99.084 292.74 27.671609091,000 3367.119 13.934 4.261 997.6043 293.009 40.52724417 10,000 4426.68218.318 5.603 9996.5616 292.96 53.27817273 100,000 5327.628 22.047 6.754100364.771 292.612 64.12402413 760,000 8916.253 36.897 11.277766352.8372 293.121 107.3154678 760,000 8893.504 36.803 11.235767571.949 293.378 107.0420674 TABLE A112-b Tfinal OD ID Height MassDensity Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc layers/mm 22.66 212.42 167.10 0.1330.088

TABLE A113-a A113 Cg + Flow 15 MLI CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Amblanket (m) (sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 1 + 15 0.003 108.9870.451 0.132 0.003 292.866 1.318309402 layers mli 0.1 133.083 0.551 0.1620.1 292.421 1.610617473 HV to NV 1 214.645 0.888 0.261 1.002 293.1312.595695674 10 674.879 2.793 0.821 9.9886 292.802 8.164164433 1002371.324 9.813 2.881 99.9354 292.95 28.68419104 1,000 4516.819 18.6915.49 982.1647 292.868 54.63530162 10,000 6173.64 25.548 7.492 9952.0672293.192 74.67886607 10,000 6070.234 25.12 7.358 10051.2977 293.45673.42778753 100,000 8112.506 33.571 9.884 99925.0627 292.349 98.13074264760,000 11387.704 47.124 13.906 760000 291.872 137.7472555 760,00011251.869 46.562 13.722 760000 292.144 136.1044842 TABLE A113-b TfinalOD ID Height Mass Density Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc layers/mm 21.55210.19 167.10

TABLE A114-a A114 Flow Vacuum CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Am Only (m)(sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) Vacuum 0.003 7446.863 30.816 10.4430.003 293.063 88.42396626 space in Black Sleeve 0.01 7496.978 31.02410.524 0.02 292.845 89.02080508 HV to SV 0.01 7619.989 31.533 10.6940.02 292.913 90.48133853 0.01 7662.417 31.708 10.767 0.02 292.64390.98348657 1 8917.153 36.901 12.52 0.9919 292.805 105.8843711 18911.606 36.878 12.566 1.0119 291.891 105.8183745 10 12906.754 53.4118.159 10.0011 292.363 153.2555827 100 15960.741 66.048 22.441 99.9876292.508 189.5192797 TABLE A114-b Tfinal OD ID Height Mass Density mm mmmm mm g g/cc 25.40 217.90 167.10

TABLE A115-a Flow A115 Blk CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Am Granules (m)(sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) Opacified 0.001 1109.161 4.59 1.5610.003 292.352 13.17062582 Aerogel Granules 0.001 1136.298 4.702 1.590.003 293.549 13.49200056 HV to SV 0.001 1130.137 4.677 1.582 0.003293.43 13.42026513 0.1 1151.105 4.763 1.614 0.1011 293.1 13.66703502 11198.457 4.959 1.679 0.9998 293.26 14.22944083 10 1781.07 7.37 2.4949.9927 293.398 21.14760616 10 1811.694 7.497 2.541 10.0017 293.06121.51202217 100 3620.854 14.984 5.074 100.0839 293.216 42.99535016 1,0005805.77 24.025 8.134 974.054 293.263 68.93775277 1,000 5793.835 23.9768.124 990.3113 293.09 68.79715132 10,000 6702.525 27.736 9.399 9855.0051293.081 79.5861607 100,000 7383.134 30.553 10.369 99879.5657 292.75487.66930949 100,000 7453.672 30.845 10.439 99523.9492 293.34588.50717936 760,000 10285.612 42.564 14.413 760652.1381 293.233122.1338817 760,000 10275.62 42.522 14.415 759799.8192 292.996122.0133662 TABLE A115-b Tfinal OD ID Height Mass Density mm mm mm mm gg/cc 25.40 217.90 167.10 742.95 934.095 0.082

TABLE A116 A116 Flow Stky Beads CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Amclam-shell (m) (sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) Black Beads & 0.0011858.903 7.692 2.671 0.003 292.648 22.00200718 Binder 0.001 1788.4747.401 2.565 0.003 293.079 21.16963795 HV to NV 0.001 1856.464 7.6822.663 0.003 293.07 21.97340343 10 2632.427 10.893 3.774 10.9765 293.18531.15806867 10 2540.394 10.513 3.644 10.9064 293.05 30.07112604 1004686.1 19.392 6.722 100.9624 293.029 55.46839876 100 4699.582 19.4496.741 100.1498 293.079 55.63144015 1,000 7884.332 32.627 11.311 998.5848293.019 93.3254665 1,000 7683.614 31.796 11.019 1004.4207 293.10590.94849458 10,000 9291.155 38.448 13.321 10114.298 293.156 109.975711410,000 9301.996 38.493 13.342 10150.8743 293.063 110.1044283 100,00010053.696 41.604 14.439 99105.8242 292.783 119.003056 100,000 9935.93641.117 14.25 99056.205 293.087 117.6100532 760,000 13573.026 56.16719.39 760000 293.928 160.6587022 760,000 18980.653 78.545 27.334 760000292.202 224.6681817 760,000 18918.323 78.287 27.375 760000 291.179223.9302049 760,000 19767.274 81.8 28.299 760000 293.47 233.9787035Tfinal OD ID Height Mass Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc 26.07 217.99 165.86647.70 1228 0.121

TABLE A117 A117 Flow aerogel-CO2 CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Am blanket(m) (sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 7 layers of 760000 6297.67126.061 20.26 757138.5419 292.943 62.21187262 10 mm 100000 2449.72710.137 7.876 99546.1569 293.099 24.19867821 NV to SV 10000 2014.5028.336 6.478 9726.8662 293.055 19.89939642 10000 1993.009 8.247 6.4049720.2925 293.217 19.68693886 1000 1713.147 7.089 5.508 933.0575 293.09216.92260332 1000 1734.94 7.179 5.576 810.1869 293.162 17.13744805 100960.857 3.976 3.098 99.1543 292.489 9.491362785 100 980.359 4.057 3.1699.1462 292.55 9.684723043 Tfinal OD ID Height Mass Density mm mm mm mmg g/cc 70.02 307.14 167.10

TABLE A118 Flow A118 CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Am MLI #1 (m) (sccm)(W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 30 layers + 0.001 49.335 0.204 0.053 0.005293.198 0.604276532 10 layers Mylar & paper 0.001 27.691 0.115 0.030.005 293.836 0.340646084 0.001 30.558 0.126 0.033 0.005 293.2840.373229623 HV to NV 0.05 44.669 0.185 0.048 0.0495 293.404 0.5479958750.1 41.166 0.17 0.044 0.0986 293.775 0.503563777 1 98.888 0.409 0.1070.9972 293.428 1.211515204 10 431.149 1.784 0.465 10.0141 292.9895.284457515 100 2434.239 10.073 2.626 99.9882 293.128 29.83763483 1,0009317.491 38.557 10.044 1021.5493 293.254 114.2112267 10,000 13691.24856.657 14.775 10073.4206 293.024 167.8259582 100,000 14112.174 58.39815.191 100099.9811 293.567 172.9830437 760,000 15162.13 62.743 16.356768985.7143 293.108 185.8535414 Tfinal OD ID Height Mass Density Densitymm mm mm mm g g/cc layers/mm 18.95 204.99 167.10 2.113

TABLE A119 A119 Flow Robust CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Am MLI #1 (m)(sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) Aerogel-P 0.001 191.604 0.793 0.1770.0042 292.973 2.384355699 and Mylar & Paper 0.001 194.145 0.803 0.1790.0037 293.673 2.414423237 HV to NV 1 415.9 1.721 0.385 1.4647 293.0185.174623151 10 1586.572 6.565 1.473 10.0313 292.521 19.73933817 101406.697 5.821 1.302 9.9513 293.19 17.5023134 1000 11973.887 49.5511.074 1004.245 293.28 148.9846468 1000 11865.318 49.101 10.964 995.3252293.478 147.6346144 Tfinal OD ID Height Mass Density Density mm mm mm mmg g/cc layers/mm 15.97 199.05 167.10 0.815

TABLE A120 A120 Flow Robust CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Am MLI #2 (m)(sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 4 layers 760,000 8269.634 34.22113.505 759775.3703 292.215 96.0351825 aerogel-C mli 760,000 8256.11824.165 13.422 759320.3544 293.196 67.8147975 NV to HV 100,000 4550.04318.829 7.393 100210.3269 293.308 52.84025748 100,000 4616.86 19.1057.503 99578.622 293.268 53.61480266 10,000 3269.766 13.531 5.31610153.6099 293.169 37.97235775 10,000 3265.983 13.515 5.304 10015.8976293.427 37.92745658 1,000 2553.103 10.565 4.152 991.9732 293.12829.64880346 1,000 2608.279 10.793 4.237 987.2452 293.371 30.28864512 1001704.98 7.055 2.774 100.7945 292.987 19.79860941 100 1723.33 7.131 2.804100.8585 292.998 20.01188996 10 912.796 3.777 1.483 10.0455 293.30810.59948232 10 876.735 3.628 1.425 10.0423 293.301 10.18134017 1 440.4471.823 0.716 1.0303 293.085 5.115926995 1 431.335 1.785 0.701 1.0323293.274 5.009286718 0.01 312.378 1.293 0.507 0.0662 293.527 3.6285757570.01 302.877 1.253 0.492 0.0089 293.281 3.516322833 Tfinal OD ID HeightMass Density Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc layers/mm 30.14 227.38 167.107.398

TABLE A121 A121 Flow Robust CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Am MLI #3 (m)(sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 5 layers 0.01 23.979 0.099 0.0280.0109 295.229 0.290479001 aerogel- P + 20 layers mli 1 87.205 0.3610.103 0.9866 293.115 1.059221406 HV to NV 10 479.328 1.984 0.563 10.1304293.197 5.821316537 100 2719.511 11.254 3.198 99.1682 293.03333.02071386 1,000 7398.427 30.616 8.769 1019.9431 291.364 89.8313644610,000 9779.1 40.468 11.909 9934.4319 285.671 118.7384262 100,00012412.202 51.364 15.068 100199.188 286.318 150.7087211 760,000 15565.72964.414 19.302 767478.8256 281.937 188.9991348 Tfinal OD ID Height MassDensity Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc layers/mm 20.75 208.60 167.10

TABLE A122 A122 JSC-1A Flow Lunar CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/AmSimulant (m) (sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 0.01 671.238 2.778 0.9550.0107 293.222 7.954794283 0.005 675.383 2.795 0.961 0.0087 293.198.00347373 HV to NV 10 835.907 3.459 1.188 10.0021 293.446 9.90483564610 836.823 3.463 1.189 10.0037 293.457 9.916289633 100 1855.467 7.6782.636 100.0069 293.49 21.98592891 100 1906.934 7.891 2.71 100.079293.414 22.59585374 1,000 8831.716 36.547 12.488 957.9103 294.537104.6522198 1,000 8764.674 36.27 12.424 996.833 293.991 103.8590312760,000 32333.873 133.803 48.827 766640.3717 280.758 383.1444706 TfinalOD ID Height Mass Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc 25.86 218.81 167.10 774.7020085.67 1.654

TABLE A123 A123 JSC-1A Flow Lunar Simulant CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBTQ/Am more dense (m) (sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 0.01 779.3583.225 1.109 0.0142 293.235 9.23477738 10 950.236 3.932 1.352 9.937293.187 11.25926966 HV to NV 100 2255.07 9.332 3.204 100.838 293.51326.72215272 1,000 6772.348 28.025 9.63 999.5151 293.312 80.249499561,000 6833.56 28.278 9.706 1000.3479 293.564 80.97396427 10,00024720.155 102.296 35.124 10136.873 293.489 292.924275 Tfinal OD IDHeight Mass Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc 25.86 218.81 167.10 790.2522170.73 1.790

TABLE A124 A124 JSC-1A Flow Lunar Simulant CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBTQ/Am most dense (m) (sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 0.01 921.3313.813 1.31 0.0094 293.349 10.91851354 HV to NV Tfinal OD ID Height MassDensity Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc lbm/ft{circumflex over ( )}3 25.86218.81 167.10 809.50 23436.42 1.847 115.303

TABLE A125 Flow A125 MLI CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Am Baseline (m)(sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 40 layers 0.01 31.874 0.132 0.0280.0098 293.827 0.398042092 Mylar & Net 0.01 34.5 0.143 0.031 0.0175293.062 0.431212266 HV to NV 0.1 44.091 0.182 0.04 0.1 293.0740.548815612 1 80.507 0.333 0.072 1 292.84 1.004151642 10 517.697 2.1420.464 10.0326 293.278 6.459137586 10 521.479 2.158 0.468 10.1426 292.8566.507385112 100 3603.543 14.912 3.238 100.1033 292.546 44.96669453 1,0008982.948 37.173 8.063 1040.1694 292.794 112.094081 10,000 11340.91546.931 10.195 10036.106 292.449 141.5190411 100,000 16447.466 68.06214.644 99101.6053 294.523 205.238946 100,000 15058.176 62.313 13.50199103.1878 293.028 187.9030067 760,000 18712.853 77.437 16.692769366.5692 294.127 233.508981 760,000 19375.742 80.18 17.443768584.8287 292.152 241.7804163 760,000 19594.625 81.086 17.425768095.1407 294.791 244.5124324 Tfinal OD ID Height Mass Density Densitymm mm mm mm g g/cc layers/mm 15.45 198.04 167.10 2.588

TABLE A126 Flow A126 MLI CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Am Baseline (m)(sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 40 layers 0.01 46.015 0.19 0.030.00134 294.211 0.586017166 Foil & Paper 0.01 50.297 0.208 0.033 0.0042293.888 0.641534582 HV to NV 0.05 57.167 0.237 0.038 0.05 294.2110.730979307 0 61.133 0.253 0.04 0.2386 294.098 0.780328121 0 60.8570.252 0.04 0.3013 293.805 0.77724382 1 83.596 0.346 0.055 1.011 293.2711.067168102 3 136.15 0.563 0.09 2.9994 293.664 1.736461392 10 341.2081.412 0.227 10.0631 292.514 4.355032834 30 735.931 3.045 0.491 29.7541291.966 9.391696161 100 1546.644 6.4 1.021 100.0935 294.097 19.739525591,000 8572.981 35.476 5.653 955.883 294.313 109.4186578 10,000 15243.39863.08 10.089 10093.72 293.521 194.5576991 100,000 19995.574 82.74513.373 100090.625 292.955 255.2104758 760,000 23857.395 98.726 15.756739718.166 293.992 304.5006881 Tfinal OD ID Height Mass Density Densitymm mm mm mm g g/cc layers/mm 11.18 189.34 167.10 3.602

TABLE A128 Flow A128 MLI CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Am Baseline (m)(sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 80 layers 0.01 42.467 0.176 0.0510.0025 292.046 0.51576594 Foil & Paper 0.01 32.042 0.133 0.038 0.006293.54 0.389754943 HV to NV 0.05 49.274 0.204 0.058 0.2 294.0980.597819613 0 46.459 0.192 0.055 0.25 293.636 0.562653753 1 53.526 0.2210.064 1.142 293.076 0.647637914 10 188.42 0.78 0.223 10.046 293.9552.285780872 100 1214.192 5.025 1.443 100 293.024 14.72570369 1,0005292.785 21.902 6.302 1055.382 292.683 64.18355468 10,000 10943.22245.285 12.815 10010.634 293.387 132.7071625 100,000 13013.439 53.85215.459 99319.897 293.187 157.8126558 760,000 16548.125 68.479 19.791764308.587 291.72 200.6769081 Tfinal OD ID Height Mass Density Densitymm mm mm mm g g/cc layers/mm 21.10 209.30 167.10 3.800

TABLE A129 A129 aerogel Flow clam-shell CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Ampack (m) (sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) Medium 0.014 1127.316 4.6652.0 0.048 293.652 12.9179786 load 10 1787.669 7.398 3.1 10 293.66420.48600336 HV to NV 100 2430.85 10.59 4.3 99 293.507 29.32505753 1,0003481.098 14.405 6.1 1,070 293.599 39.88927797 760,000 8646.049 35.77915.2 761,530 293.435 99.07660372 Tfinal OD ID Height Mass DensityDensity mm mm mm mm g g/cc layers/mm 33.00 233.00 167.10

TABLE A130 A130 aerogel Flow clam-shell CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Ampack (m) (sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) Low load 0.05 1051.651 4.3522.0 0.025 293.419 11.85856885 10 1371.128 5.674 2.6 10 293.51915.46082713 HV to NV 100 2149.081 8.893 4.1 99 293.523 24.23213529 1,0003260.388 13.492 6.3 1,050 293.481 36.76374332 10,000 4012.906 16.606 7.79,976 293.199 45.24894172 100,000 4581.429 18.959 8.808 99,247 292.9451.66052547 760,000 9215.471 38.135 17.688 764,338 293.307 103.9123445760,000 9393.258 38.871 18.051 765,545 293.046 105.9178377 Tfinal OD IDHeight Mass Density mm mm mm mm g g/cc 36.65 240.43 167.10

TABLE A132 Flow A132 MLI CVP correct Qtot k CVP WBT Q/Am Spiral Wrap (m)(sccm) (W) (mW/m-K) (m) (K) (W/m2) 40 layers 0.01 72.698 0.301 0.0730.0065 293.649 0.897977411 Foil & Paper 0.01 78.177 0.324 0.079 0.008293.38 0.966593625 HV to NV 0.1 95.626 0.396 0.096 0.25 293.1011.181392209 1 149.919 0.62 0.15 1.146 294.143 1.849654468 10 433.4161.764 0.435 10.084 293.742 5.262565293 100 2127.193 8.803 2.139 99.079293.189 26.26211013 Tfinal OD ID Height Mass Density Density mm mm mm mm9 g/cc layers/mm 17.47 202.07 167.13 2.290

Foam test specimen installation was by fitting around cold mass, usingband clamps to compress slightly and eliminate seam gap for clam shellarticles. Test results for k-value as a function of CVP are depicted at900 in FIG. 9. Layer temperature distribution of a multilayer insulationtest article is depicted at 1000 in FIG. 10. Test results for absolutek-value for ten specimens as a function of CVP is depicted at 1100 inFIG. 11.

In analyzing foam performance, the following were used

No vacuum: 21 mW/m-K

High vacuum: 7.6 mW/m-K

Multiple tests at each CVP

k-value standard deviation <1 mW/m-K

Uncertainty Analysis of Cryostat-100: <3% error

In FIG. 12, a chart 1200 depicts a wide range of empirical data showinghow efficient the disclosed invention is for producing high qualitythermal conductivity data. Specific empirical data runs are provided inTABLE 3.

TABLE 3 Comp Specimen Form Material A102 3M Glass Bubbles 65 Bulk fillGlass Bubbles A103 Perlite Power 132 Bulk fill Perlite A104 SOFI BX-265,NV to HV Clam shell Foam A105 SOFI NCFI 24-124 Clam shell Foam A106 SOFINCFI 27-68 Clam shell Foam A107 SOFI NCFI 24-124, with rind Clam shellFoam A108 Ng Beads Bulk fill Perlite A109 Or Beads Bulk fill AerogelA110 LCI#1 (Pyrogel, Cryogel, layered Aerogel/MLI Cryolam) A111 LayeredPyrogel blanket Aerogel A112 Layered Cryogel Layered Aerogel A113Cryogel + 15 MLI (Foil & Paper) Layered Aerogel A114 Vacuum Only A115Black Ng Granules Bulk fill Aerogel A116 Stky Beads Clam shell AerogelA117 Cg O2 Blanket Aerogel A118 MLI #1 (Mylar & Paper) layered MLI A119Robust MLI #1 (PS & MP) layered MLI A120 Robust MLI #2 (CZ & MP) layeredMLI A121 Robust MLI #3 (PT + MP) layered MLI A122 JSC-1A Lunar SimulantBulk fill Regolith A123 JSC-1A Lunar Simulant Bulk fill Regolith (moredense) A124 JSC-1A Lunar Simulant Bulk fill Regolith (most dense) A125MLI Baseline layered MLI (DAM & Dacron Net) A126 MLI Baseline (40 Foil &Paper) layered MLI A128 MLI Baseline (80 Foil & Paper) layered MLI A129NPack#1, medium Clam shell Aerogel A130 NPack #2, low Clam shell Aerogel

In FIG. 13, a chart 1300 is provided for bulk-fill or powder insulation,demonstrating that the Cryostat-100 apparatus 100 can handle alldifferent types of materials. The specific specimens plotted areprovided in TABLE 4.

TABLE 4 Comp Specimen Form Material A102 Glass Bubbles Bulk fill GlassBubbles A103 Perlite Power Bulk fill Perlite A108 Aerogel I Beads whiteBulk fill Aerogel A109 OR Beads Bulk fill Aerogel A114 Vacuum Only n/an/a A115 Aerogel Granules black Bulk fill Aerogel A122 JSC-1A LunarSimulant Bulk fill simulant A123 JSC-1A Lunar Simulant (more dense) Bulkfill simulant A124 JSC-1A Lunar Simulant (most dense) Bulk fill simulant

In FIG. 14, a chart 1400 is provided for foam insulation, demonstratingperformance by the Cryostat-100 apparatus 100 more closely fornon-vacuum, ambient pressure range. The specific specimens plotted areprovided in TABLE 5.

TABLE 5 Comp Specimen Form Material A104 SOFI BX-265, NV to HVClam-shell Foam A105 SOFI NCFI 24-124 Clam-shell Foam A106 SOFI NCFI27-68 Clam-shell Foam A107 SOFI NCFI 24-124, with rind Clam-shell Foam

In FIG. 15, a chart 1500 is provided for MLI, blanket form insulation,demonstrating performance by the Cryostat-100 apparatus 100 for thehighest performance insulation systems in the world. The specificspecimens plotted are provided in TABLE 6.

TABLE 6 Comp Specimen Form Material A110 LCI#1 (Pyrogel, Cryogel,Cryolam) Blanket Aerogel/MLI A113 Cryogel + 15 MLI (Foil & Paper)Blanket Aerogel/MLI A118 MLI #1 (Mylar & Paper) Blanket MLI A119 RobustMLI #1 (PS & MP) Blanket Aerogel/MLI A120 Robust MLI #2 (CZ & MP)Blanket Aerogel/MLI A121 Robust MLI #3 (PT + MP) Blanket Aerogel/MLIA125 MLI Baseline (DAM & Dacron Net) Blanket MLI A126 MLI Baseline (40Foil & Paper) Blanket MLI

In FIG. 16, a chart 1600 demonstrates performance by the Cryostat-100apparatus 100 for MLI Baseline Q provided in k-value. In FIG. 17, achart 1700 provides the same results in heat flux values. Bothdepictions emphasize that this four (4) orders of magnitude capabilityis available in one instrument with one single set-up. The specificspecimens plotted are provided in TABLE 7.

TABLE 7 Comp Specimen Form Material A118 MLI #1 (Mylar & Paper) blanketMLI A125 MLI Baseline (DAM & Dacron Net) blanket MLI A126 MLI Baseline(40 Foil & Paper) blanket MLI A128 MLI Baseline (80 Foil & Paper)blanket MLI A132 MLI Spiral Wrap (40 Foil & Paper) blanket MLI

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example,instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments or designs.

Various embodiments will be presented in terms of systems that mayinclude a number of components, modules, and the like. It is to beunderstood and appreciated that the various systems may includeadditional components, modules, etc. and/or may not include all of thecomponents, modules, etc. discussed in connection with the figures. Acombination of these approaches may also be used.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentinvention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or otherdisclosed material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporatedby reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that theincorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions,statements, or other disclosed material set forth in this specification.As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly setforth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein byreference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to beincorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existingdefinitions, statements, or other disclosed material set forth herein,will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises betweenthat incorporated material and the existing disclosed.

1. An apparatus adaptable for use as an evaporation or boil-off flowmeasuring device for determining thermal performance of a testingmaterial, comprising: a cold mass comprising: an inner vessel having atop, a bottom, a sidewall defining a testing chamber, the sidewall forreceiving a testing material, an upper guard chamber positioned at thetop of the inner vessel, and a lower guard chamber positioned at thebottom of the inner vessel; an outer vacuum chamber enclosing the innervessel and the testing material; and a plurality of liquid conduits forreceiving a liquid refrigerant having a normal boiling point belowambient temperature and for venting gas, each of the plurality of liquidconduits communicating through the outer vacuum chamber to a respectiveone of the testing chamber, the upper guard chamber, and the lower guardchamber.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofliquid conduits comprises a pair of elongate feedthroughs on an upperside of each chamber sized to receive a respective filling tube that isconcentric to the elongate feedthrough and extending into the respectivechamber, the feedthrough and filling tube sized for a sufficient ventpath.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first barrierstructure separating the upper guard chamber and the testing chamber andencompassing a first vapor cavity; and a second barrier structureseparating the lower guard chamber and the testing chamber andencompassing a second vapor cavity.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, furthercomprising a condensable or low thermal conductivity gas contained bythe first and second vapor cavities.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3,further comprising a high surface area insulation material contained bythe first and second vapor cavities.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein the high surface area insulation material is a selected one of agroup consisting of aerogel granules, molecular sieve, and fumed silicapowder.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofliquid conduits comprises an elongate feedthrough on an upper side ofeach chamber sized to receive a respective filling tube that isconcentric to the elongate feedthrough and extending into the respectivechamber, the feedthrough and filling tube sized for a sufficient ventpath.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the vacuum chamber comprisesa top lid that is detachable from an outer vacuum can, each of theelongate feedthroughs comprising an upper portion that passes throughthe top lid and connected by a connector to a lower portion that isattached to a cold mass assembly comprised of the testing chamber, theupper guard chamber, and the lower guard chamber.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising a vacuum port and a vacuum instrumentationfeedthrough mounted on the vacuum chamber.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein each of the elongate feedthroughs comprises a respective bellowsof sufficiently thin-wall construction for low thermal conduction andmechanical compliance, each bellows comprising an upper bellowsconnection and a lower bellows connection.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the upper and lower bellows connection sufficient to enable fullcryogenic temperature and high vacuum pressure compatibility withminimal leakage and enable removal of the cold mass assembly from thetop lid.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the upper and lowerbellows connection further comprises a precision spherical face sealmetal-gasketed fittings.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, furthercomprising a plurality of handling tools attached to the cold massassembly for manipulating during installation on a horizontal wrappingmachine for test article preparations.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8,further comprising a lifting mechanism attachable to the top lid forraising the cold mass assembly from the outer vacuum can.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 14, further comprising a temperature instrumentationfeedthrough provided in the top lid for facilitating removal of the coldmass assembly using the lifting mechanism.
 16. The apparatus of claim14, wherein the lifting mechanism further comprises: a lifting frame; avertical jack screw supported by the lifting frame; and a lift armassembly that is received for movement on the vertical jack screw. 17.The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a pair of breakaway armsfor engaging the outer vacuum chamber.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14,further comprising a bellows supporting the vertical jack screw.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of threads or wiresfor suspending the cold mass within the outer vacuum chamber.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 19, wherein the plurality of threads are aromaticpolyamide fiber threads.
 21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein theplurality of threads are stainless steel wire.
 22. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one warm boundary temperaturesensor located on the testing material or the inside of the vacuumchamber, with the warm boundary temperature sensor being spaced a givendistance from the sidewall of the inner vessel.
 23. The apparatus ofclaim 22, further comprising at least one cold boundary temperaturesensor located on the testing material at a location nearest the innervessel.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the warm boundarytemperature sensor and the cold boundary temperature sensors areselected from a group consisting of thermocouples, resistancetemperature detectors, and silicon diodes.
 25. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising at least one temperature sensor feed-through port inthe outer vacuum chamber.
 26. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: at least one vacuum port in the outer vacuum chamber; and abaffle plate installed over an entrance to the at least one vacuum port.27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer vacuum chamber operatesin a pressure range between 1×10-6 torr to 760 torr, or 1×10-9 torr to1000 torr, or higher.
 28. A method for testing thermal conductivity,comprising: positioning a cylindrical test specimen around a cylindricalcold mass comprised of a stacked upper vessel, an upper vapor pocket,test vessel, a lower vapor pocket, and a lower vessel, which in turn iswithin a vacuum chamber; filling and venting each of the stacked uppervessel, test vessel, and lower vessel of the cylindrical cold mass witha liquid via a respective top fed feedthrough; maintaining a warm orcold vacuum pressure within the vacuum chamber; measuring a coldboundary temperature of an inner portion of the test specimen and a warmboundary temperature of an outer portion of the test specimen while theliquid maintains a set temperature of the cold mass; and calculating aneffective thermal conductivity for the test specimen based upon thefluid boil-off or evaporation flow rate, heat of vaporization of theliquid, cold boundary temperature, warm boundary temperature, effectiveheat transfer surface area of the cold mass, and thickness of thespecimen.
 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising calculating amean heat flux for the test specimen based upon the liquid boil-off orevaporation flow rate, heat of vaporization of the liquid, effectiveheat transfer surface area of the cold mass, and thickness of the testspecimen.
 30. The method of claim 28, further comprising filling thecylindrical cold mass with liquid nitrogen.
 31. The method of claim 28,further comprising filling the cylindrical cold mass with liquidhydrogen.
 32. The method of claim 28, further comprising filling thecylindrical cold mass with liquid helium.
 33. The method of claim 28,further comprising filling the cylindrical cold mass with a selected oneof a group consisting liquid carbon dioxide, Freon R134a, and ethylalcohol.
 34. The method of claim 28, further comprising operating with ak-value range from approximately 0.01 mW/m-K to 100 mW/m-K.
 35. Themethod of claim 28, further comprising operating with a k-value rangefrom 0.01 to 10 mW/m-K.
 36. The method of claim 28, further comprisingoperating with a range of mean heat flux from 0.1 W/m² to 500 W/m². 37.The method of claim 28, further comprising operating with a range ofmean heat flux from 0.1 to 100 W/m².
 38. The method of claim 28, furthercomprising operating with a Cold Boundary Temperature (CBT) between 77 Kand 300 K and a Warm Boundary Temperature (WBT) between 100 K and 400 K.39. The method of claim 28, wherein the test specimen comprises at leastone of a group consisting of a loose-fill powder, particle, blankets,multilayer insulations, foams, clam-shells, panels, and composites. 40.The method of claim 28, further comprising confining a loose-fill powderor particle material within an aluminum sleeve assembly with a pluralityof centering rings to keep the loose-fill powder or particle materialsin place.
 41. The method of claim 28, further comprising assembling thecylindrical cold mass into the vacuum chamber by raising and lowering alid of the vacuum chamber on a carriage raised by a vertical machinescrew jack.
 42. The method of claim 28, further comprising assemblingthe cylindrical cold mass into the vacuum chamber by raising andlowering a lid of the vacuum chamber on a carriage raised by an overheadhoist.
 43. An apparatus for measuring thermal conductivity or heat flux,comprising: a vacuum canister having a lid attachable and sealable to alower cylindrical portion; a cold mass comprised of a verticalcylindrical stack of an upper vessel, a test vessel, and a lower vessel;three feedthrough conduits that pass through the lid of the vacuumcanister respectively to fill and to vent respectively one of the uppervessel, test vessel, and lower vessel; a vertical machine jack screw forpositioning a carriage engagable to the lid of the vacuum canister forpositioning the cold mass suspended from the lid into the lowercylindrical portion; a vacuum system for producing and measuring a coldvacuum pressure within the vacuum canister; and a boil-off calorimetermeasuring system for determining boil-off flow rate coincident with astable thermal environment of a test specimen positioned around the coldmass.